Michael Sichel: Chef, Where are You?

When my husband and I plan vacations, one of the most important facets of our planning is deciding which restaurants we will enjoy during those travels. We've eaten delicious foods with celebrity chefs, and we've eaten fabulous offerings at tiny "mom & pop" settings. We've ventured off our itineraries and dropped into pubs and tavernas that have become some of our greatest food memories. However, our ultimate food memories come from the summer of 2008 when we ate in Destin with Chef Michael Sichel.

Week after week, visit after visit, Michael's menus offered a parade of palate-pleasing foods. Not only were the flavors perfect but they also were consistent. From June to October, every bite that traveled from his kitchen and over my palate was perfect. To borrow a phrase from my friend George Grant, Michael's delicious foods ruined me to the offerings of other chefs.

Sometime during the winter season, Michael left Destin. His place in the kitchen was filled by the chef who had originally opened this Destin restaurant. Hmmm. Several restaurants of New Orleans fame have relocated in the Destin area. We've eaten at most of them, trying to find a chef whose work matches that offered by Michael. No luck.

So, Google-bots, find Chef Michael Sichel for me! I'm desperate for some of his Short Ribs, his Risotto, a pizza, a fish. 

Where are you, Chef Michael Sichel?